Athletics | International

'Bolt to run at Cayman Invitational'

Sprint legend Usain Bolt is to run at the Cayman Invitational meeting on the Cayman Islands, the Jamaican athlete and the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) said on Thursday.

The Olympic champion in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay from Beijing and London did not divulge at which event he would compete but he said that he was looking forward to the meeting on May 8.

"I have not competed there before but my coach was there last year and spoke well about the event," Bolt said in a statement from the organisers posted on iaaf.org.

Bolt's coach, Glenn Mills, was in George Town last year with his teammate Johan Blake, who won silver in the 100m and 200m and was part of the winning Jamaican relay team in London. Blake won the 100m at the Cayman Invitational in 9.84sec.

Bolt has not run in the Caribbean outside Jamaica for six years and he said he was excited at the prospect.

"Sprinting in the Caribbean is stronger than ever and it is great to see new track and field meets starting up," he added.

"Cydonie (Mothersill, the former international sprinter and meeting organiser) has done great things for her country on the track and is now working hard to develop opportunities for others.

"I hope my presence in Cayman will inspire the youth and contribute to the development of the sport."

Also pencilled in to run at the meeting will be Chris Brown, the 2010 world indoor 400m champion, Kerron Stewart, who won 100m silver at the Beijing Olympics, 2008 Olympic 400m hurdles and 2009 world champion Melanie Walker, and Hansle Parchment, a bronze medallist in London in the 110m hurdles.